Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 180

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1530

USA > Colorado > Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 180

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son and Guntown, Miss. (in the last-named of which the battle began with forty-two men in his company and closed with only twenty-one re- maining), Tupelo, Miss. ; Nashville, Tenn .; Mobile, Ala., and various minor engagements. He was mustered out of service August 3, 1865, with a record of which he may well be proud.

Returning to Menard County, our subject set- tled on a portion of the old homestead, and there he established his home and engaged in farming. In 1884 he came west, stopping a short time in Nebraska, and taking a tree claim near Chappell.

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He left his family in Kearney, while he looked after his claim in what was then Cheyenne (now Deuel) County. For three years he labored to make the place a suitable home for his family. Not feeling satisfied with the results, in the spring of 1887 he sold the claim and came to Colorado, where he has since resided in Sedgwick County.

August 15, 1866, Mr. Conyers married Miss Emily J. Arthalony, a native of Monroe County, Ill., and daughter of Patrick Arthalony, a promi- nent farmer of that county. Five children were born of their marriage, four of whom are living, namely: Arthur W., who owns a ranch, but gives his attention principally to railroading; Luetta, wife of William McElroy, a ranchman of Sedgwick County; Stella and Cora J., who keep house for their father, their mother having died February 1, 1890.

1 DWARD S. OSLER, who has engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Fort Morgan since 1894, was born in Grundy County, Ill., April 7, 1860, a son of George W. and Eunice (Booth) Osler. He was one of twelve children, nine of whom survive, namely: Charles H., a physician of Oakdale, Cal .; Orpha O., wife of A. A. Armitage, of Kenesaw, Neb .; Jennie, Mrs. D. H. Conger, of Prosser, Neb .; John B., who lives in Kenesaw, Neb .; Edward S .; Alvin, a farmer living in Kenesaw; Cora, wife of John Pratt, of Prosser, Neb .; Maude, who mar- ried Ned Currier, of Kenesaw; and Clarence, who resides with his mother at Kenesaw.

The father of our subject was born in Ohio in 1815, and when a boy accompanied his mother (who was three times married) to Illinois, set- tling in Grundy County, where he grew to man- hood and married. For years he engaged in farming there. In 1867 he removed to Kanka- kee County, Ill., where he resided until 1878. He then removed, with his family, to Adams County, Neb., and there died two years after- ward. His wife was born in Ohio in 1833 and is now residing on the old homestead at Kenesaw, Neb. Our subject, when a boy, acquired a com- mon-school education. He remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, and then began in the world for himself. Going to Kearney, Neb., lie was for eight montlis em- ployed in the freight department of the Burling- ton & Missouri River Railroad, after which he was engaged as a salesman in the Boston shoe store

of Kearney for a year. Later, beginning in busi- ness for himself, he opened a shop, where he did turning, scroll work and general cabinet work. Prospered in his undertakings, he built a neat home and invested in other property. He be- came known as an expert turner and wood- worker. After three years he disposed of his shop, and then for two years worked in the plan- ing mill of Goodman, Bogue & Co.

In 1888 Mr. Osler settled in Perkins County, Neb., where he took up a homestead two miles from Grant and at the same time he ran a cabinet shop in the town, returning to his home in the country each night. He continued there in that capacity until 1892, when he established himself in the furniture and undertaking business at Grant. In 1894 he removed to Fort Morgan, where he has since built up a valuable business. Since the fall of 1895 he has filled the office of county coroner. In political belief he is inde- pendent, voting for the man rather than the party. In fraternal relations he is a member of Grant Lodge No. 218, A. O. U. W., and Fort Morgan Camp No. 193, Woodmen of the World. He takes an intelligent interest in local affairs and is a public-spirited citizen.

In Kenesaw, Neb., December 17, 1881, Mr. Osler married Miss Angelina L. Powell. To their marriage have been born five children, four of whom are living, viz. : Cecil Pearl, born March 3, 1883; Claude, August 20, 1887; Raymond, October 5, 1892; and Harry, March 21, 1896.

B RUCE MC CAIN. During the year 1887 Mr. McCain came to Colorado and settled upon a tract of land in Eagle County, since whichi time he has given his attention to general ranching pursuits and has improved a valuable ranch, situated in a fine valley, near the village of Eagle. During the period of his residence in this section, he has seen many improvements and has himself contributed to the development of local resources.

Mr. McCain was born in Pennsylvania in 1853 and in the same state occurred the birth of his parents, S. W. and Hadasah (Henry) McCain, His father engaged in farming in the east for some years, but finally removed to Iowa, where he carried on a stock farm until his death. In religion he was a Presbyterian and in politics a Republican. Both he and his wife had two brothers who were soldiers in the Civil war and their oldest son, William, also served through

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the war. In his family were four sons, of whom William and Robert are deceased, and James is a farmer near Boise City, Idaho. The daughters are: Nancy E., who married, but is now deceased; Martha, wife of Nicholas Floyd, a farmer in Mis- souri; and Isabella, Mrs. J. R. Folwell, of Iowa.

In an early day our subject was taken by his parents to Iowa, settling in Onawa, where he was educated in the common schools. At twenty-one years of age he started out for himself and went to Kansas, where he took up a tract of land in Rush County. Finding, however, that the prospects were not favorable in Kansas, he came further west, and in 1887 located on the ranch where he has since made his home. In 1890 he married Sarah Williams, of Kansas, who died in 1895, leaving two small children, John and Edith, the latter only one week old. His present wife, whom he married September 1, 1897, was Ada Wolver- ton, of Missouri. Politically he is a Republican. Among the people of Eagle County he has many friends who esteem him highly for his integrity and perseverance.

L DMOND BURKE, who is recognized as one of the representative ranchmen and stock- raisers of Logan County, is of Irish birth and descent. He was born in County Tipperary, October 15, 1850, a son of Edmond and Margaret (Shannahan) Burke. He was one of thirteen children, of whom besides himself survive, viz .: Mary, wife of John Mclaughlin, of Leadville, Colo .; John, who is still in County Tipperary; William, who lives in Boulder, Colo .; Patrick, of Denver; and Kate, who married James Pryor, of Leadville.

The father of our subject was a native of County Tipperary, where he was reared, married and en- gaged in farming. Accompanied by his family, in 1879 he crossed the ocean to New York City, whence he proceeded to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He spent a month visiting relatives and friends there, after which he came to Colorado, settling in Boulder. He continued to reside in that city until a year prior to his death, when he came to Logan County and afterward made his home with his son here. Our subject was in boyhood a pupil in the Irish national schools, where every educational advantage is afforded. On reaching manhood he gave his attention to farming. About 1872 he opened a general store in the village of Upper Church and this business he conducted until 1879. Meantime, in 1878, he

was united in marriage with Lizzie Berkery, a native of County Limerick, and the daughter of James Berkery, a farmer there.

When his father's family came to America in 1879, our subject and his wife joined the party and crossed the Atlantic to New York, thence went to Iowa, spending a month at Mount Pleas- ant and Albion, later coming to Colorado. His first home was in Boulder, where he worked for three months as a farm hand. Next he rented a farm near Ni Wot, where he began farming for himself. Remaining there for two years, he then removed to Marshall, this state, where he worked in the coal mines for a year. Afterward he returned to South Boulder, where he operated rented land for four years. In 1886 he came to Logan County, and after one season on a rented farm, three miles north of Sterling, he engaged in ditch work, and for three years assisted in the construction of the Springdale ditch. The ensu- ing three years were spent in ditch building and ranch work in the employ of George H. West, of Greeley, and others. In 1893 he settled three miles sonth of Merino, where he purchased one hundred and twenty-six acres and leased three hundred and twenty acres of school land. Here he erected a substantial residence, made suitable improvements, and has since resided. In his ranch and cattle interests he has prospered, which fact is due largely to his energy, persever- ance and force of character. In politics he is a Democrat, but is by no means narrow in his belief, his tendencies being liberal and broad. In religion he is a Roman Catholic.

The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Burke are named as follows: James, Margaret, Hannah, Edward, Mary, William, Lizzie and Katie.

OBERT ALPHONSE CHACE, who is one of the representative stock growers of Mor- gan County, was born in Ottawa, La Salle County, Il1., August 22, 1857, a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Lewis) Chace. Of five children, he and two brothers survive, his older brother, Herbert S., being a ranchman and stock owner of this county; while the younger brother, Ed- ward M., is pastor of the Baptist Church at Weeping Water, Neb. His father, a native of Fall River, Mass., born in 1818, was a farmer by occupation. Some time after the death of his first wife he removed from the east to Illinois and became a pioneer of La Salle County, where he married Miss Lewis. In 1868 he removed to

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Livingston County, Ill., and there his death occurred in 1875. His wife was born in Wash- ington County, Pa., in 1828, and is now living with our subject.

It had been the intention of his parents that our subject should receive college advantages, but the death of his father prevented the fulfill- ment of the plan. The course of events was changed and on him devolved the duty of manag- ing the home place. He looked after the affairs of the estate and cultivated the farm. September 13, 1882, he married Alice, daughter of Alfred Everett, an early settler of Livingston County. Continuing to reside at the old homestead, he was so prospered that his stock became too numerous for his land and he was short of pas- ture. Believing he could conduct the stock busi- ness to better advantage in Colorado, in Febru- ary, 1888, he came to this state. At first he set- tled in Arapahoe County, eighty miles east of Denver, where he homesteaded a tract of land and settled upon the same. From there, in 1893, he removed to his present ranch, two miles south of Fort Morgan, where he has since resided, using his ranch in Arapahoe County as a summer range for his sheep, cattle and horses.

In the fall of 1898 Mr. Chace was the nominee of the Republican party for the state legislature: In spite of the fact that his opponent was nom- inated on five different tickets, he was defeated by only one hundred votes. He is one of the substantial men of the county and is highly esteemed for his integrity and force of character. He and his wife are the parents of five children, Alfred E., Reno E., Myra E., Cora E. and Willard.

DWIN M. ROGERS, who came to Aspen in 1891 as manager of the Franklin Mining Company and the Deep Mining and Drain- age Company, and who is now the manager of the Aspen mine, is one of the prominent mine operators of Pitkin County and is also well known in mining circles throughout other parts of the state. He was born in Corning, N. Y., February 13, 1859,a son of Andrews N. and Mary (Seymour) Rogers. His paternal grandfather, Noah Rogers, was a large land owner in Pennsylvania, while his maternal grandfather, James Seymour, a prominent railroad engineer, was connected with the early history of railroading and took an active part in the building of the Delaware & Lacka- wanna and Erie Railroads. The Seymour family

settled in Pennsylvania and New York in a very early day, and from there descendants removed to other parts of the country.

A native of Wayne County, Pa., and for many years a resident of Corning, N. Y., Andrews N. Rogers was engaged in railroad construction and management in both states, mostly on the Bloss- burg Road and Delaware & Lackawanna Rail- road until the year 1866. During that year he removed to Colorado and took charge of the Bob-tail mine in Gilpin County. From the first he was successful in his enterprises. It is prob- able that he did more to open up and develop mines in that county than anyone else there. He was also prominent in mining circles in other parts of the state. Among the famous mines with which he was connected were the Bob-tail and Gregory mines in Gilpin County. In Masonry he was active and prominent. He had no desire to hold official civic positions, but nevertheless took an interested part in public affairs and al- ways supported Republican principles.

From the time of his settlement in Colorado until his death, in 1889, he was numbered among its progressive and enterprising men. He did much to promote the welfare of the state. When the Santa Fe and Rio Grande Railroad Com- panies became involved in a bitter controversy on account of the right of way privileges, he was one of the principal factors in securing a settle- ment of the difficulties. In October, 1879, Judge Hallett appointed him umpire commissioner to settle their disputes, in which was involved the right of way through the famous Royal Gorge. As a citizen he left his impress upon his locality and upon the state.

Of the sons of A. N. Rogers, James S., a graduate of West Point, became a captain in the regular army and participated in the war with Spain, being in the engagement before Santiago; Fred N. is connected with mining interests in Colorado; aud A. B. is associated with Edwin M. in the mining industry. Our subject was a boy of less than seven years when his parents removed from New York to Colorado. His education, which was thorough and broad, was begun in the public schools and completed at Yale, from which he graduated in 1880. On the completion of his studies he became associated with his father in mining, and on the latter's death he succeeded him in the management of the Gregory and Bob- tail mines at Central City. Subsequently our sub- ject became manager of the Amethyst mines at

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Creede. He is considered one of the successful mining engineers of the state. Since 1891 he has made his headquarters in Aspen. Fraternally he is a Mason. Politically he has never identified himself with any party, but votes independently and for the principle involved.

ICHARD C. PERKINS, a pioneer of Logan County, where he owns and occupies a ranch near Sterling, was born in Fayette County, Tenn., March 8, 1842, a son of Richard C. and Martha O. (Gibson) Perkins. He was one of eleven children, five now living, namely: Eliza- beth, the widow of John O. Graves, of Grand Junction, Tenn .; Sarah E., widow of R. E. Smith, of Logan County, Colo .; Richard C .; Catherine, wife of Dr. Turner Milan, of Texas; and Mattie, Mrs. M. S. Smith, of Grand Junction, Tenn. The father, a native of Middle Tennessee, born in 1801, was only a small child when his parents died; he was reared by a neighboring farmer, who cared for him until he attained manhood. He then went to Alabama, where he married, shortly afterward returning to Tennessee and set- tling in Fayette County, where he purchased from a Mr. Gordon a farm which the latter had bought from an Indian, Beatty. Here he remained un- til his death, in 1854.

The education of our subject was obtained in district schools, the Newcastle ('Tenn.) Academy, (where he studied for one term) and Bethel Col- lege, at McLemoresville, Tenn., where he spent two terms. The continuation of his studies was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war, when he was attending the Baptist University at Murfreesboro. About that time his older brother, who had been in charge of the plantation, died and he was called home to assume the manage- ment of the estate. In the spring of 1862 he went to Virginia and enlisted in the Nineteenth Mississippi Infantry, C. S. A. (having a brother who was a member of this regiment). He joined Company H at Yorktown. The regiment skir- mished there for some days, then fell back to Will- iamsburg, where his brother, John C., was killed. Thence they marched to Richmond, where he took part in the siege, and also in the battle of Malvern Hill, where he was wounded seriously. For three months he was confined in the hospi- tal at Richmond, after which he was given a fur- lough of a year. Upon the expiration of the furlough, he, being incapacitated for duty in the infantry, joined Forest's cavalry in north-

ern Mississippi. Their first engagement of con- sequence was the capture of Fort Pillow. After many minor engagements, in which he bore a part, in the spring of 1865 he returned to Virginia and joined his old regiment, then located in the trenches between Richmond and Petersburg. He was just to the right of the point where General Grant blew up the Confederate works by under- mining them. He took part in the battle that fol- lowed, in which the Confederates succeeded in holding their lines. Later he was a participant in engagements at Weldon Road.

After the surrender Mr. Perkins went home, it taking about one month for him to walk from Farmville, where Lee surrendered, to his Ten- nessee estate. There he found nothing but deso- lation. All was laid waste. However, he was cheered by the fact that many of his former slaves remained to welcome him home and they continued with him as long as he was on the old plantation. After his mother's death, in 1866, he purchased the interests of the other members of the family in her share of the estate, with the intention of making his permanent home amid the scene familiar to him from his earliest recol- lection. However, in 1873 he decided to come west, so, selling his place, he removed to Colorado, arriving in Greeley April 1 of that year, in com- pany with three other families. He rented land in the vicinity of Greeley, the four families being in partnership, in order that some of the men could look after the farming interests while others were inspecting the country for a suitable per- manent location. In June of the same year our subject came to Logan County and was so pleased with prospects that he decided to settle here, and the other families came with him. In February, 1874, he proved up on his present home ranch as a pre-emption and later homesteaded an addi- tional one hundred and sixty acres, four miles east of Sterling. Upon that homestead he made his abode for eight years, after which he removed to his present place, one and one-quarter miles southwest of Sterling. Here he is engaged in farming and the stock business.

During the early days of his residence in Lo- gan County Mr. Perkins experienced all the hardships and privations of life on the frontier, far from civilizing influences. It was difficult to obtain the bare necessities of life, and comforts were not expected. During the long period of his residence here he has always worked to promote the welfare of the community and has done much

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to interest strangers in settling in this locality. He was one of the prime movers in the building of the Sterling Irrigation Company's ditch, which was the first ditch taken out in this section, and he had the contract to build the first six miles of the ditch. The company was organized in 1873, with himself as treasurer, and from that time to the present he has held different positions on the board of directors. For a number of years he acted as postmaster here, the mail route being from Greeley to Julesburg and trips being made twice a week. In politics he is now a stanch Pro- hibitionist, voting with that party. With his wife and family he holds membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Sterling.

In 1868 Mr. Perkins married Miss Cornelia C. Davis, a native of Marshall County, Miss., and daughter of Hugh Davis, who at one time owned all of the land in his section, including the present site of Michigan City. Nine chil- dren were born of this marriage, and seven are living, namely: Sallie O., wife of Walter I. Brush, who is engaged in the livery business at Sterling; Hugh R., who is engaged in the drayage busi- ness at Sterling; May E., a graduate of the Ster- ling high school and now a teacher in the public school here; Charles A., Carrie, Margaret and Lester, who are at home.

AMES NELSON, a pioneer of Leadville, has been engaged in the undertaking business in this city since 1879 and during most . of the time has also acted as coroner. His undertaking establishment is situated at No. 715 Harrison avenne, north of the Vendome Hotel, and is a brick structure, with spacious rooms and large basement, equipped with every facility for the proper conduct of his business.

The Nelson family has long resided in Nova Scotia. John Nelson, father of our subject, was born three months after the death of his father, who was a sea-captain, but his mother is still liv- ing, and is now one hundred and one years of age. John became a large lumber merchant of Trafalgar and also carried on farming in the same locality, but through the loss of his sight he was obliged to relinquish his principal interests. He is still living in Nova Scotia and is now seventy- nine years of age. He married Ellen Comminger, a native of Nova Scotia, whose father was a large shipbuilder of New York state, and her ancestors were among the pioneers of that state. Our sub- ject was the only son and has three sisters: Mrs.

Matilda McLane, Mrs. Asenath McLane (the former living near the old homestead, the latter a few miles from Boston, Mass.); and Agnes, the youngest sister, who is also married.

Born in Nova Scotia in 1850, our subject was nineteen years of age when his father became blind, and afterward he took charge of the busi- ness, which he conducted for six years. He then engaged in the mercantile business in his home town, and continued there until 1879, when he settled in Leadville. In 1874 he married Cath- erine Margaret Crisholm, who was born of Scotch parentage, in Nova Scotia, and was the oldest of four sisters, the others of whom are dead. Two children bless their union, Bessie Gray and Nellie James, who are talented young ladies, the former a teacher in Nova Scotia, while the latter attends school there.

During the great strike in Leadville, Mr. Nel- son was appointed deputy sheriff and while act- ing in this capacity he was constantly endeavor- ing to quell riots. More than once he took his life in his hands when he went among a mob of angry men, but he was brave and fearless, and discharged his duty regardless of personal danger, making all of the arrests during that time. He has always favored Republican principles and is interested in politics. In Masonry he has reached the thirty-second degree. He is also active in the lodge of Knights of Pythias at Leadville, which he founded and of which he has been dis- trict deputy grand chancellor; and is also Past E. R. of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

HARLES J. FARR. Stock-raising has formed the chief occupation of Mr. Farr, and the energy he has exhibited, together with his habits of economy, industry and per- severance, has had considerable to do with his success in life. A successful stockman, his opin- ion upon all matters pertaining to this industry carries weight among the people of Kit Carson County, where he makes his home.

The parents of our subject, John and Sarah (Williams) Farr, were natives of Canada, and died at the ages of fifty and forty-five respectively. The father came to Illinois in 1857 and settled in Lee County upon a farm, where three years later his son, Charles, was born. In time he became a prosperous, successful farmer, and had his life been spared to old age, he would probably have attained wealth. In fraternal relations he was a

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Mason. In his family there were two sons and two daughters. Henry is engaged in the mer- cantile business at Brockville, Ontario; Eliza is the wife of Frederick Farner, of Labette County, Kan .; and Kate is also married.

The early years of our subject's life were spent in Illinois and Kansas. At the age of fourteen he began to be actively connected with farm pur- suits, and for two years he tilled the soil in Kan- sas. In 1876, when sixteen years of age, he came to Bent County, Colo., where he was em- ployed by the leading stockmen. For years he worked as a cowboy on the range, and, while his comrades spent their money as rapidly as they earned it, he was frugal and economical. He commanded large wages and had the confidence of his employers. From year to year he invested in stock, and about 1891 he bought his present ranch, which is situated a few miles from the village of Flagler, on the Republican River; since that time he has engaged in raising cattle and horses.

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Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 180

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1530

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1530